Agitator Power Equation:
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Agitator power calculation determines the power required to operate a mixing impeller in a fluid. It is essential for proper agitator design and motor selection in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries.
The calculator uses the agitator power equation:
Where:
Explanation: The power number depends on impeller type and flow regime (laminar or turbulent). This equation calculates the power required to overcome fluid resistance during mixing.
Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper motor sizing, prevents under-mixing or over-mixing, optimizes energy consumption, and ensures process efficiency and safety.
Tips: Enter power number based on impeller type, fluid density in kg/m³, rotational speed in revolutions per second, and impeller diameter in meters. All values must be positive.
Q1: What is the power number (N_p)?
A: The power number is a dimensionless parameter that characterizes the resistance of an impeller to rotation in a fluid. It varies with impeller type and Reynolds number.
Q2: How do I determine the power number?
A: Power numbers are typically obtained from manufacturer specifications, experimental data, or published correlations for specific impeller types.
Q3: What are typical power number values?
A: Common values range from 0.3 to 6.0 depending on impeller design. For example, marine propellers have lower N_p while Rushton turbines have higher values.
Q4: Does fluid viscosity affect the calculation?
A: Yes, viscosity affects the power number, especially in laminar flow regimes. The power number becomes constant only in fully turbulent flow.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for non-Newtonian fluids?
A: For non-Newtonian fluids, apparent viscosity must be used, and power number correlations become more complex due to shear-dependent viscosity.